Re di Macchia — Restaurant in Montalcino

Nice meal in a nice environment, but we’ve had better for the 120 euros it cost for two. I don’t understand how this restaurant gets so many great reviews. Interestingly, this restaurant did not appear on the list of personally recommended Montalcini restaurants given to us by the owner of the agriturismo that we stayed at, but we’d read the great Google reviews, we’d phoned and booked some two weeks earlier from the UK and so we ignored our agriturismo’s recommendations and we set off for our evening, anticipating a great meal. Polite staff (Roberto), speaking very good English, but no chit chat and we (two of us) felt like we were on a production line with the four courses (we had the set menu) served in quick succession with very little explanation of each course. Likewise we had the wine pairing (four glasses in total, one white, two red and one dessert wine). We selected the wine pairing so that we could learn something about the local wines, but unfortunately there was no explanation of each vineyard location etc. Our experience of wine pairings in other restaurants is that the waiter makes an effort to bring the wine “alive” through their description of the wine and the vineyard and explains why they personally selected the particular wine to pair with the food course, however there was none of this, we were briefly shown the wine bottle. The brunello from 2005 (served with (in our opinion and I realise it’s personal taste) over-salted beef and roast potatoes) was the stand-out highlight of the meal, a real gem. All-in-all a decent meal in a decent restaurant, but not one to rave about (except for that wonderful glass of Brunello...

I have been eating here regularly for more than 10 years, even more so after I got my own apartment in town a few years ago. The man and wife team of Roberta and Antonio is a perfect match, with Roberta in the kitchen and Antonio making sure the guests are happy.

His wine recommendations are excellent, with several moderately priced but very interesting wines from outside the region. His pricing of older Brunellos is also very customer-friendly compared to the other local restaurants and anywhere on this planet, and he frequently has a list of some last bottles from a good vintage at incredible prices. It's no surprise that the locals in the wine industry come here with their business contacts or when they want to be assured of an excellent experience for a private occasion.

There are local places that use more expensive ingredients in their cooking and which combine different cooking styles but this is by far the best overall value in town - and it's very authentic, with a service level and friendliness other local places...

Though I was dining solo and the restaurant was busy, the owner and his staff (daughter?) welcomed me very warmly and could not have been more pleasant and gracious throughout my meal.

The owner's wine recommendation was excellent, The cuisine was very traditional Tuscan fare expertly prepared. The Cinghiale would have benefited from a little more tenderness, but was nonetheless quite delicious with a polenta cake. The broccoli souffle' was scrumptious. The pasta was beautiful. The tiramisu was quite good. I enjoyed a very satisfying meal, and would not hesitate to return.

Because he had after initially seating me very graciously inquired whether I might move to a two-top elsewhere in the room (so he might use the table at which I was originally seated to form a four-top to accommodate a larger party), the owner generously knocked 10 Euros off my bill as a concession. What a complete gentleman! I would eat at Re Macchia weekly if I didn't live ...